Just booked the hotel and flight for my trip to Barcelona in March—and promptly misplaced my passport. Genius. (Found shortly afterwards tucked away in another purse.) Usually, when I drop this kind of money in one swell foop, I get palpitations, but this time, nary an Eeep! I'm just so glad to finally be leaving the continent after so long (the last time I was in Europe, Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Regan were in office). And I'm so glad to be going somewhere I have no obligations whatsoever but to do exactly what I want, when I want. I'm really looking forward to wandering around and exploring, and taking pics with my trusty little camera, and sampling the food (rumor has it that Barcelona has fabulous chocolate, as well as the Master of Foam El Bulli's Ferran Adria. Well, technically, El Bulli's outside of Barcelona, but it's in the vicinity. I will not be eating there, however, as it's fully booked through 2007 and because molecular gastronomy strikes me too often as circus food. I'm a slow food kinda person.)
So I'm going to spend two weeks knocking around Barcelona in the off season, finding interesting nooks and crannies in a new city, drooling over all the Gaudi architecture, and yes, blogging about it. I made sure my hotel has wifi. And dude, I splurged on the hotel this time. No crappy student digs for me. This one is just a year old in March, when I'm going, and it's a bit like the Soho Grand in starkness. Not always to my taste, but this looks kinda cool.
There are things I definitely want to see: Sagrada Familia and the rest of Gaudi's work; the Barri Gotic; Roman Barcelona; museums, etc. Dr. Em has suggested I do a day trip to the the shrine of the black Madonna of Montserrat, which is a definite go, and Roger suggested I do a quick jaunt to Ibiza (which is a maybe). Dr. Em also suggests a day trip to Granada to see the Alhambra, which is a distinct possibility. I should read that Gaudi biography before I go, too. History! Architecture! Art! New food! New people! New experiences! Inspiration! Not necessarily in that order!
I'm so psyched! Wish I was there already.
Granada is probably an overnight trip at least, but soooo worth it. You'd have to take national rail there. (Go the night before and visit Alhambra early the next morning, I think. You have to sort out your Alhambra tickets in advance, IIRC.)
But Montserrat is just a daytrip (commuter rail trip, with funicular (sp?) up to the site), but also there's a Gaudi park out in the suburbs that is worth the subway ride - kind of like a trip to the boroughs. My hairdresser goes every year to Sitges and raves about it.
I am so psyched for you! Yay!
Posted by: Em | February 03, 2007 at 03:02 AM
When I was in Barcelona almost four years ago, I enjoyed a couple of "slow food"-type meals at Cosas de Menjar (a cozy funky little place, with mismatched silverware and dishes on the walls) and then Bestial (I know, weird name, but it's a sleek contemporary place right on the beach and--to continue the toilet theme from the previous post--has a people's room rather than men's and women's rooms). And of course there are all the bocadillo bars in the Barri Gotic.
Posted by: Kristin | February 03, 2007 at 07:03 PM
I'm seriously considering Granada, Em. I'd love to see the Alhambra. If I can arrange it with a minimum of fuss, I'm definitely going. And I plan on cramming in as much Gaudi stuff as I can. Definitely the parks.
Kristin, thanks for the recommendations! I'd heard about Bestial, but not Cosas de Menjar. I'll definitely look it up. Since I'm not much into shopping (as long as I don't find some funky paper store), I think food and sightseeing are going to be the major focus of this trip.
Posted by: Lee Kottner | February 03, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Once I'm done coughing up little green clots of envy, I will wish you safe and happy travels.
I have been funded for a conference in San Antonio in March, so I too will be traveling to a really foreign country. Bon voayage! I can't wait to read the blog and see the picutres! Rob
Posted by: Rob Kellerman | February 04, 2007 at 08:13 AM
Don't hurt yourself with those little green clots, honey. And yes, Texas is a foreign country--and not in a good way.
Posted by: Lee Kottner | February 04, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Yeah, Texas is definitely a different place--I have in-laws in San Antonio, so I go about once a year. Except for the city center, the whole place is zoned for highways, strip malls, and big box stores. But dang, the Tex-Mex food is better there than anywhere else! If anyone offers you a pork tamale, just say yes. And for me, the city is the capital of Mexican greasy brekkie. I start drooling just thinking of fresh handmade flour tortillas filled with chorizo and egg....
Posted by: Kristin | February 04, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Ibiza is a possible choice indeed. Never been there so you might want to see if it is still as good as its on reputation. I did go to Majorca during Franco's reign in the mid-1970s. It was a beautiful paradise then.
Don't forget the city-operated tourist buses (more research since my last trip there was ten years ago). I also visited Stiges, south of Barcelona, because if was billed as a gay mecca. I was not thrilled.
If you venture by the Hotel California, where I stayed, find out what kind of coffee they have for breakfast. It was truly the best I have ever had.
Bon voyage. Please post photos and send a postcard if you get a chance. You will love Barcelona. Did I say not to miss the aquarium?
Posted by: Roger | February 11, 2007 at 09:34 PM